Leggings vs Joggers

Joggers (aka track pants) are basically the bottom part of a tracksuit. Recently, joggers have had a bit of a renaissance, which means many of us are considering switching from our faithful friend the legging over to joggers.

But should we? What are the main differences between the two, and are there pros and cons in either direction? Or is it simply an individual style choice? Read on!

What Are Joggers?

Like all athleisure clothing, joggers were originally designed to be worn for exercise: Jogging, in fact, as their name would suggest.

But like basically every other athletic garment, joggers have found a foothold in everyday fashion and can be seen worn as streetwear, workwear, and loungewear.

Most joggers are usually made of lightweight material and are pretty fitted (unlike sweat pants which are made of thicker sweatshirt material). While they are fitted, they are not skintight garments but instead taper down the leg and have fitted ankles. At the waist, joggers usually have an elastic waist or a drawstring waist.

As joggers have transitioned into daywear, some have become more sophisticated, tailored, and even downright glamorous, while other styles are ideal for lounging.

Why Are Joggers Back in Style?

Put it down to our insatiable appetite for more athleisure clothing options! We all love variety, after all, and things were getting a bit monotonous during the pandemic when we were all living in our leggings.

But besides the obvious assortment they bring to our athleisure wardrobes, there are some real reasons some people wanted another alternative, like:

• Not everybody loves leggings: This may seem incredulous, but skin-tight clothing isn’t everybody’s jam. Some people don’t like seeing every lump and bump. Some people crave a little more modesty around the crotch and bottom. 
• Breathability can be an issue in leggings: Skin-tight synthetic clothing can sometimes cause issues with breathability, and this can aggravate sweat and even be connected with UTIs and yeast infections. Because they’re looser, joggers may offer better breathability. (Side-note: If you do wear leggings, this is a good reason to make sure they’re sweat- and moisture-wicking.)
• Leggings have a bad rep for being see-through: To be clear: Leggings are not supposed to be see-through. But we’ve all been there. Seen somebody bend over to find they’re showing more than they perhaps intended. If you’ve lived through this embarrassment, it’s fair enough that you might have been scared away from leggings!
• Some simply find joggers more flattering: We all have different preferences when it comes to the cut, color, and materials of our clothes. Just because a certain silhouette is in style doesn’t mean you’ll love it on your body. The good news is if joggers are what floats your boat, you’ve got tonnes of choice out there right now.
• Joggers can be a bit warmer: In winter months, the thick material and relaxed fit of joggers may offer more warmth, whether you're running errands or wearing them to exercise.

Are Joggers Different From Pajama Pants?

Absolutely! Pajama pants usually have wide legs and a drawstring waist. They are designed to be worn as sleepwear, not daywear. However, legging and jogger-inspired pajama shapes have also emerged, and loungewear blurs the lines between daywear and sleepwear, so we definitely understand why some items might elicit confusion!

How Should You Wear Joggers?

Just bought some joggers and now looking for inspo on how to style them? You have lots of choices, but here are some thought-starters:

• T-shirt and sneakers: The no-fail casual look. A crisp, clean tee and some great sneaks. You can’t go wrong.
• Sweatshirt: Similarly, no-fail. A sweatshirt with your joggers can take you to many places.
• Jean jacket or denim jacket: Looking to dress up that jogger/tee combo? A jean jacket is a great addition!
• Blazer: Don’t think you have to keep it casual. Joggers will work with a blazer if you have the right accessories and attitude!
• High heels and a sexy top: Your joggers can even go to ultra-glam places… think about a sequined or strappy top and some sky-high heels and rock your inner diva!

Like leggings, there are many different styles of joggers. Some will feel more like sweat pants, and others may venture into the territory of stretchy pants. As we've seen, the lines can easily get blurred between garments, and designers are constantly pushing boundaries between designs, so don't get too fixated on one definition of joggers vs leggings vs sweatpants vs stretchy pants.

What Are Leggings / Yoga Pants?

Basically, normal leggings are opaque (not see-through) skin-tight garments. They usually pull on and off (no zipper or other fastening), and while they may have pockets and other accents, most are unadorned with any pockets or seams beyond the seam that runs around the inner legs.

Leggings are usually made of cotton and lycra, though they now come in an astonishing range of finishes (shiny, matt), lengths (ankle and cropped), colors, cuts, and even materials (from plain cotton to denim-looking “jeggings” and even leather).

Key things to note about leggings:

• They’re opaque (i.e., not see-through)
• They come in different lengths, including
• Full length
• Ankle-length, also known as 7/8 length
• Cropped
• Leggings come with different waist rises (similar to jeans), including:
• High waist rise
• Mid-rise
• Low-rise

So, Are Leggings Going Out of Style Compared to Joggers?

Absolutely not! The athleisure movement just keeps on going… Clearly, we can’t get enough of comfy clothes (and footwear) that easily transition to workwear, streetwear, and loungewear.

Both leggings and joggers probably have a place in your wardrobe. You’ll find they’re versatile and enduring garments that can serve you in myriad ways.

Leggings are also mainstays for activewear because they’re form-fitting, and so they move with your body. For serious athletes, compression can be a must-have, and this is something you’ll find in leggings over joggers (note: not all leggings automatically have compression.)

Aside: The purpose of compression pressure is to improve blood circulation, which can help with athletic performance, reduce fatigue and even aid with muscle recovery. Compression leggings usually look “sportier” than regular leggings. They will usually have a thicker waistband and are often high rise. You may notice more panels on the legs. Materials will look less like 100% cotton, and you’ll probably notice greater elasticity, which may make these items look much smaller on the hanger.

How Should You Wear Leggings?

We wrote lots of advice about the different ways you can wear leggings over here. Like joggers (and arguably even more so), there are tonnes of options on how to wear leggings. They can be a feature garment in your ensemble or a supporting star.

Leggings also provide a layering option in colder months, which can make them a serious alternative to tights. Whether you favor a capsule wardrobe or a “more is more” approach to clothing, leggings have a place in your closet!

Joggers vs Leggings: Which One Wins?

Why play favorites? Joggers and leggings both have a place in our hearts and our closets. On different days, we’ll want different things from our clothes and our looks.

There might be times when you want the compression of leggings. Or when you know you’ll be bending and twisting and you trust leggings to move perfectly with you.

But there might be other times when you want loose breathability and fabrics that fall slightly away from the body. 

If you’re wearing them as daywear, it’s really about the look you’re going for more than the performance criteria. But, in our opinion, there are definitely days for leggings and days for joggers!

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.